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Tigers finalize contracts with seven players

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By Jason Beck

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Just because Max Scherzer is signed for this season doesn't mean that the Tigers' contract matters are done. In fact, the team didn't have more than half the players on its 40-man roster signed to terms until they announced seven more deals on Monday.

All of the contracts were for players not yet eligible for arbitration or free agency. They included closer candidate Bruce Rondon, catcher Ramon Cabrera, utilityman Jeff Kobernus and pitchers Duane Below, Darin Downs, Kyle Lobstein and Luke Putkonen.

With that, Detroit now has 26 players under contract, with 14 more to go. The team can continue to negotiate in hopes of one-year contracts for the next couple weeks. It can unilaterally renew contracts beginning March 2.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.